GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Not Linked to Increased Risk of Psychiatric Adverse Events, Depression

GLP-1 receptor agonists are associated with improvements in restrained eating, emotional eating behavior, QOL

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, May 19, 2025 (HealthDay News) — For patients with overweight/obesity and/or diabetes, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) treatment is not associated with an increased risk for psychiatric adverse events or worsening depressive symptoms, according to a study published online May 14 in JAMA Psychiatry.

Aureliane C.S. Pierret, M.B.B.Chir., from Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London, and colleagues conducted a meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials to examine psychiatric, cognitive, and quality of life (QOL) outcomes with GLP-1 RA treatment in adults with overweight/obesity and/or diabetes. The meta-analysis included 107,860 patients from 80 randomized clinical trials.

The researchers found that GLP-1 RA treatment was not associated with a significant difference in the risk for serious psychiatric adverse events and nonserious psychiatric adverse events, or depressive symptom change, versus placebo. There were associations for GLP-1 RA treatment versus placebo with improvements in restrained eating and emotional eating behavior (Hedges g = 0.35 and 0.32) and in mental health-related QOL, physical health-related QOL, diabetes-related QOL, and weight-related QOL (Hedges g = 0.15, 0.20, 0.23, and 0.27, respectively).

“Our results provide reassurance regarding the psychiatric safety profile of GLP-1 RAs and suggest that GLP-1 RA treatment is associated with improved mental well-being, in addition to the known physical health improvements,” the authors write.

Several authors disclosed ties to the biopharmaceutical and publishing industries.